Boston and beyond

Part of the reason I love Boston is that it is so rich with history. But America’s roots extend miles beyond the city, all the way to Lexington and Concord.

I took a tour of Lexington on my last day in the city via Liberty Ride. It was advertised as a 90-minute tour, but the nice thing was you could get off at the stops and spend more than an hour exploring the point of interest.

I got off at two stops: one where there was a multimedia presentation of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, and one where there was a live demonstration of how to fire a musket.

Minute Man National Historic Park.

Hartwell Tavern, Concord, MA

A park ranger explaining how muskets are fired.

A closeup shot of bullets used.

Hartwel Tavern, Concord, MA

Old North Bridge

Another shot of the Old North Bridge

The Concord River.

Monument at the Old North Bridge

A patriotic feeling took over as I walked through the pathway that soldiers marched on hundreds of years between Concord and Lexington. It was strange and funny. (But I also kept in mind that it may not be entirely accurate, where the path was, as I had overheard that the Boston Massacre did not occur where the mark on the Freedom Trail is, and as I read that the tombstones at Granary Burial Ground are not directly above the respective bodies indicated. A lot has changed, so the specifics aren’t necessarily accurate. But simply being in the historical cities was incredible.)

I continued the remainder of the Freedom Trail and finished before I flew back to Los Angeles. (And of course got sidetracked.)

Arnold Arboretum

Oak Path at Arnold Arboretum

Paul Revere Mall

Paul Revere Mall

Street shot

Ahh! I love how this shot turned out.

Had to get a shot of this! Home of the Boston Celtics.

Converse building while the sun sets.

Beautiful Boston at night.

Another sunset shot.

Fenway Park! Didn’t go inside, though.

Locks on the fence near Fenway Park.

Paid another visit to MIT.

How lucky are MIT students to have this view? Perfect for a relaxing stroll or light run.

USS Constitution

USS Constitution

Inside the USS Constitution

View from the inside of the USS Constitution. This is how it would look if you were trying to shoot out a cannon.

Went on a free tour of this boat. People weren’t very tall back then – anyone taller than 5’5″ was bending over while walking around this level of the boat. These hammocks are where sailors would sleep.

Navy Yard.

Bunker Hill Monument.

The Bunker Hill Monument is so high!

It’s 294 steps to the top…

…tiring climb, but worth it for the view!

Took a train and bus to get to Castle Island. It was a windy day out but It’s a nice park.

Castle Island, Boston, MA.

Watching small waves crash at Castle Island, Boston, MA.

Colorful rocks 🙂

I actually am quite fond of this place. Castle Island, Boston, MA.

In addition to the history and architecture, I thoroughly enjoyed a free Sam Adams Brewery Tour with Diane, who I met in Chicago. We left to Boston on the same day (well – we were supposed to, but my flight got canceled due to weather, so I ended up going a day after), and it was a nice coincidence that we ended up in the same cities.

Sam Adams beer caps glued to a barrel.

Awards the brewery has won.

Diane and I indulging ourselves in a free beer tasting. We got to try a Boston Lager, Summer Ale, and Rebel IPA.